Saharsa district is an administrative district in the state of Bihar, India. Located in the Kosi region of north-eastern Bihar, the district takes its name from its headquarters town of Saharsa. It forms part of the Kosi Division and lies in the alluvial plains shaped by the Kosi River, historically known for both its agricultural productivity and its recurrent floods.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Bihar |
| Division | Kosi |
| Headquarters | Saharsa |
| Region | Mithila / Kosi plains |
| Type | District of India |
The territory of present-day Saharsa district lies within the historical-cultural region of Mithila, where Maithili is widely spoken alongside Hindi. The landscape is dominated by the floodplains of the Kosi, a river that has shifted its course significantly over the centuries and given the broader area the name "Kosi region". The flat, fertile terrain supports paddy, maize, wheat, and jute cultivation, and agriculture remains the principal source of livelihood.
Saharsa district is administered by a District Magistrate and is part of the Kosi Division of Bihar, along with the neighbouring districts of Madhepura and Supaul. The district is subdivided into administrative blocks for revenue and development purposes, with Saharsa town serving as the principal urban and administrative centre.
The district lies in the north-eastern part of Bihar. It is bordered by Madhepura to the east, Supaul to the north, Darbhanga and Samastipur to the west, and Khagaria to the south. The terrain is almost entirely flat alluvial plain, drained by the Kosi and its distributaries, and is prone to seasonal flooding during the monsoon.
Saharsa is an important railway junction on the East Central Railway zone of Indian Railways, providing connections to Patna, Mumbai, Delhi, and other major cities. It is also linked by the state and national highway network to other parts of Bihar. The town has long served as a regional hub for trade and transport in the Kosi belt.
The population is predominantly rural and largely engaged in agriculture and allied activities. Hindi and Maithili are the principal languages. Cultural life reflects the wider Mithila tradition, including festivals such as Chhath, Durga Puja, and local fairs associated with shrines and rivers in the region.
Saharsa district holds significance as a centre of the Kosi region, both administratively and culturally. The Mahishi area within the district is associated with the medieval scholar Mandana Mishra and the Ugratara temple, a notable Shakti shrine that draws pilgrims from across Bihar and neighbouring states. The district has also been central to discussions of flood management, embankment policy, and rural development in north Bihar.